Ownership experience of a cobra

Rickyd · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 06:58 AM

I have been researching the cobra scene and if I get one I will buy a Superformance. I am curious and definitely too analytical for my own good of the overall owenrship experience of a Cobra. Is it something one get's out of their sytem and sells ina year or two/ Are they fun but impractical?

I am loking to spend up to $50,000 and I want to avoid a mistake in selecting the right toy for cruising. I am also consiering a mid year Vette etc.

Are there emision issues or insurance issues. I live in Ohio but relocate due to my Job occasionally.

Half bitten,

Rick

Rickyd · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 07:11 AM

sorry for the spelling mistakes..in a hurry...

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 07:14 AM

Emisions could be an issue depending mostly on HOW the car is registered to begin with. Usually this is not an issue.

The biggest issue with insurance is where to get the best price and what kind of coverage you end up with. There is "show only" kind of insurance and that would not allow driving your car to work sort of thing. DO get an all around insurance, which IS available from many different sources.

Now looking at my second Cobra I have decided that a "daily driver" approach is the way to go. Many guys have the Cobra that is basically a fair weather, weekend cruiser. I want to be more "practical" in my approach.

So for me, it MUST have a top, have a little more room than the standard Cobra. It must be easy to work on and get parts for. Easy on gas and traffic friendly. I want a small block, air conditioning and a hardtop. Which is far from what many people look for in a Cobra. Each to his own!

Having said that: I highly admire those Cobras which are more "true" to the original specs, such as SPF (though NOT perfect in this regard). I'm willing to settle for a little "less" which for me is a little "more".

Ernie

foothills gary · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 07:29 AM

Welcome to the forum,Rickyd!The Cobra experience can be pretty much what you want it to be.The Superformance is a great choice in so many ways,not only because of it's impeccable build quality,but because you have so many ways you can configure it.Air conditioning and a hardtop can turn it into a daily driver if you like,and it already comes with power brakes as standard.Since the main headquarters is in Ross,Ohio you are close enough that shipping is not a big issue.The Superformance is very easy to drive,and with a Tremec 5-speed is a great long distance cruiser as well.Resale is also good,because of very consistent manufacturing control.All Cobras are endearingly impractical-I don't know of any that you can lock the doors,or that have rollup windows.Insurance doesn't seem to be a big issue,emissions can be touchy in some states,not so much in others.Owners are all over the map as far as buying and retaining.I think the older buyers like myself appreciate the car for it's historical value and have wanted one specifically for so long that we understand it(and love)it's warts,and tend to keep our cars.Guys who love to fiddle also love having something they have some control over.I would recommend driving a Superformance,and coming back to visit us often.You have so many excellent choices,half the fun is the research! Again,welcome to the Club! Gary

rdorman · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 12:17 PM

Personally I find that the Cobra is an addiction. Using it as a daily driver I feel would take away from the experience. Since you are right here in Ohio get down to the Superformance dealer and take one for a spin. Fortuniatly here in Ohio we don't have manditory emmisions and I am not aware of any one ever running into an issue. If you relocate, then it depends greatly. Also I have mine insured for a very, very good rate so if you buy let me know and I will give you the name of my agent.

Cobra is a very different car from a modern Corvette. The whole experience between the two can not be compaired. Part them side by side and the Corvette will get little more than a glance. Terrific car though. If my toy had to also be my daily driver a Vette would certainly be on the list.

Where in Ohio are you? There are hundreds and hundreds of Cobras in Ohio.

Rick

By the way, people sometimes call me RickyD!

anchor2 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 12:34 PM

I always joke that buying a Cobra is not a rational decision. If you drive one and the experience dose not knock your socks off it may not be for you. I can tell you like many other owners it is like no other car. You turn the key the smile hard and don’t quit smiling until you shut it down.

I've driven Z06's, Vipers, Porsche 930's, C4's, NSX none are even close.

rdorman · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 12:41 PM

Well said Anchor2. If after your first drive you are not trying to figure out how leverage the equity in your family members it may not be for you! It is a VERY different experience from the other modern cars.

Rick

CowtownCobra · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 12:48 PM

Reasonable advice:

If you plan to do any upgrades and set a price, double it. If the motor is involved, triple it.

avanti-176 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 12:51 PM

Anchor2,
I only disagree with you on one aspect.....

I don't stop smiling until LONG AFTER I have shut it down.

Have a good one,
Dan

Edley Rondinone · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 04:25 PM

RickyD: Yes, these cars are WAY FUN!!! I live in sunny SoCal, so I can drive mine mostly every day, if I choose! I have always been into cars, and have always wanted a Cobra. Having a replica is a dream come true!! I dont think I will ever get it "out of my system", as you put it. The Cobra definitely gets a lot of attention, most of it good!! As a cruiser, you cant go wrong. The people that I ride Harleys with have asked me, "Which is more fun, the Harley or the Cobra?" Now, I really like riding the bike with our group of guys and gals, but I have to admit, THE COBRA IS WAAAY MORE FUN!!!

Rickyd · #11 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all of your advice thus far. I live in Cincinnati and I did drive a Superformance. I will visit Dynamic Motors next week. At first, I was really concerned about the safety aspect..Maybe I should get a BWM Z-4 (abs, air bags etc)...Drove it adn hated it..need headers and side pipes.

I must admit, I did enoy the sound and power from the Cobra. I do have reservations of owning a "replica". Can soemone help me here? That's why I was looking into a 65-67 convertible vette. I'm not a vette dieheart by all means but figured it would give me the 'authenticity' and thrills. Possibly selling it for a break even scenerio down the road.

I realize a Superformance Cobra will be a better driver and more reliable. I want to drive not wrench. So as you can see I am more confused than ever...Still need your help!!

Still Half Bitten,

Rick

G.R. · #12 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 08:41 PM

Owned my SPF almost three years, basically never did a thing to it other than change oil, filters etc.. It all depends upon what you want, like you I looked at Vettes(new and mid 60's), Z-3's, Porches(

), nothing did for me like a Cobra replica. Didn't drive it near as much as I thought I would, but I do live in western WA, still in all one of the most fun vechicles I've owned.
Now I've got another one.

avanti-176 · #13 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 08:53 PM

Nothing....and I repeat....Nothing ... with 4 wheels(and in the same price range as an SPF) will give you the thrills that a Cobra will.
Your concerns about safety are completely valid, I tell people all the time that driving the Cobra is as close as I will ever come to riding my motorcycle without a helmet, but that is part of the thrill.
A Cobra is Raw, Loud, Smelly,Primitive,a handful to drive, Tempermental,beautiful,no good in the rain and best of all they are an absolute
BLAST!!!

Now if you have reservations about driving around a replica Cobra then you better go buy that Vette. Unless you have $300 to $500 grand laying around to use on a TOY!

By the way I just sold my Vette(real) to get the Cobra (replica) and have not regretted it for a second.

Follow your heart...

Have a good one,
Dan

Edley Rondinone · #14 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 08:53 PM

'D: My suggestion: Buy the mid '60s Corvette, and drive it for a year or two. Keep a detailed diary of your experiences in the car, with the car, and how you feel about the car. Sell the 'Vette, make most, if not all, your money back. Now, buy a Cobra replica, and keep the same diary. After a month of steady driving in the Cobra, you will wish you had bought that same Cobra a year or two earlier!! Just pretend I am a politician when I tell you, "TRUST ME!!"

ToyCollector · #15 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 08:56 PM

Rickyd,

I think you are in need of some strong advice.

If a "in your face", don't mind burning my legs on a sidepipe or two and getting a little wet, but fast as he!! raw machine from the 60s is what you want, you are fine buying whatever flavor of Cobra Replica you want.

If you for a minute cannot throw away security, comfort, convenience that we have engineered into today's cars, get a Z4/Boxster/etc. Or buy one of each.

clayfoushee · #16 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 09:35 PM

Edley above is dead-on right! I restored a 69 Camaro SS-350 convertible to absolute mint condition, almost stock except for a mildly tweaked motor and headers. It was fun, but got boring soon. I sold it for my Cobra, which absolutely blows me away everytime I look at it, much less drive it. The experience is almost beyond description and not like any other car. I've owned just about everything including a BMW M-Roadster, which some people think is close to a modern equivalent.....NOT!!!! Not even close.

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 09:49 PM

What is the magic of a Cobra? There for sure something special. I didn't really understand until I bought one. I mean, I knew it was going to be a very cool car and all that,,,,,,, but I never really knew until I owned one.

Nothing else compares, the Cobra is magical.

Ernie

foothills gary · #18 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 11:36 PM

This is one of the last relatively affordable bastions of auto maleness on the planet.When you start to see substantial numbers of the fairer sex driving anything,be it 'Vette,Boxter,Z4,etc,you will probably find it to be so docile and "feminized" as to be a yawner.Who wants to be caught in a chick car anyway?I don't have a soft feminine side,and want my cars to occupy 110% of my attention all the time,and be somewhat of a brute.Hey why waste time-go right to the good stuff!

RedBarchetta · #19 (**permalink**) 12-17-2003, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by avanti-176

By the way I just sold my Vette(real) to get the Cobra (replica) and have not regretted it for a second.

Follow your heart...

I'm in the process of doing the exact same thing. The only question remaining is will I sell the Vette BEFORE the Cobra arrives....

Rickyd · #20 (**permalink**) 12-18-2003, 03:43 PM

Thank you all for your honest feedback. I certainly need to hear the real deal. You all gave me a lot to consider and I'm sure I will have more questions. It is nice to know their is a quick sorce to secure good feedback.

Rick